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Kevin Love will be traded to Cavaliers

Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports
11:31 a.m. EDT August 7, 2014

According to reports, the Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to trade Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for first overall pick Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and a 2015 first-round pick.(Photo: Doug Pensinger Getty Images)

The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been made public. The deal can't happen officially until Aug. 23, 30 days after Wiggins signed his rookie contract.

The trade first was reported by Yahoo! Sports.

The Cavaliers were already a top contender in the Eastern Conference after signing free agent LeBron James, but adding Love, 25, to a lineup with James and point guard Kyrie Irving gives the Cavaliers three All-Star starters.

Love, a three-time NBA All Star, has averaged 19.2 points and 12.2 rebounds in his six seasons with the Timberwolves. His best season was in 2011-12 when he averaged 26 points and 13.3 rebounds.

The Timberwolves accepted that Love was not going to re-sign and wanted to get something in return for him before he left for nothing in free agency. Minnesota played hardball with several teams interested in Love and remained firm in its trade demands. The Timberwolves ended up with an impressive haul.

Bennett lost weight and showed improvement in the Las Vegas Summer League and Wiggins has the potential to be an NBA star.